Most of us don't think about how long our baking powder has been in the pantry—we buy it, use it, and leave it until we need it again. Unfortunately, baking powder has a shelf life, and if it's too old, it can ruin the dish or recipe you're making. Here's how to check if it's still good.

All you need to do is drop a quarter-teaspoon of baking powder to a half-cup of steaming hot boiled water. If it fizzes and bubbles, you're in the clear. If it's flat and just gets wet and chunky, your baking powder has lost its magic and it's time to buy a new can. If you use it in your baking, you'll end up with super-dense results that won't rise the way they should. If you've experienced this before and didn't know why, it could be the baking powder that's to blame.